Sandesh, one of the most popular ‘regional’ sweet from the state of West Bengal is made from fresh cottage cheese/Paneer. It is one of the simplest sweets an is one of those ‘Melts-in-your-mouth type of delicacy.
Ingredients:
Full Cream Milk- 1 Litre
Lime juice/Citric acid- to curdle
Water- 2Tbsp
Powdered sugar 6-7 tbsp
Coarsely powdered pistachios
Green or Yellow Food Colour- 2-3 drops
Corn flour 1 tbsp (optional)
Recipe:
1. Boil milk and curdle the boiled milk using citric acid/lime juice
2. Strain the curdled milk/Chenna using a muslin cloth and let it hand for about ½ hour to 1 hour- till all the water is drained.
3. Now, take the chenna and blend in a mixture along with powdered sugar and corn flour till a smooth blend is formed.
4. On a non-stick pan, heat this mixture for 8-10 minutes on a low flame, taking care not to change the colour of the mix.
5. Add 2-3 drops of the foodcolour at this stage.
6. After the mix is dry and thick, remove from the flame, transfer in a bowl, add ground pistachios and mix, and mould it into any shape you like.
7. Sandesh are best served chilled.
By: Archa Dave